Prabhupāda Guides His Disciples to Understand Their Position in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
To be successful in spiritual life, one must clearly understand their actual identity and standing in relation to the Supreme Lord. Guiding his followers with immense care, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that true advancement does not require changing one's external situation, but rather awakening to the eternal position of servitorship and depending entirely upon Kṛṣṇa's protection.
The Eternal Constitutional Position
The fundamental teaching of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is that the living entity is not the material body, but an eternal spirit soul. Rather than falsely claiming to be God or an independent master, the practitioner must accept their true identity as the servant of the servant of the Lord. Throughout his teachings, Śrīla Prabhupāda constantly reminded his disciples that by adopting this humble attitude, they would naturally experience true spiritual satisfaction and perfection.
- As we make progress in the matter of Krsna consciousness, then our original, constitutional position becomes revealed. And as soon it is fully revealed, I am free from all these material obligations. Oh, my place is reserved there.
- Don't claim that you are God. Don't claim that there is no God. There is God, and He is great, and you are small. Then what is your position? You have to serve Krsna. This is simple truth.
- Our position is servant of the servant. We don't want to become master of the master.
- We don't claim that we are on the equal level of Krsna. That is not our philosophy. We claim to become servant of the servant of the servant of the servant of servant of Krsna (CC Madhya 13.80). This is our position.
Transcending Material Designations
In the Vedic social system, society is organized by occupational and spiritual divisions known as varṇāśrama. However, the pure devotional service taught by Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu places the devotee on a transcendental platform far above these temporary material classifications. While practical management may require certain social structures, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarified that a sincere Vaiṣṇava is already situated in the highest spiritual position through their unalloyed devotion.
- All my European and American disciples have no varnasrama position, but spiritually because they have followed the rules and regulations and also my instructions, their advancement spiritually is being appreciated by everyone.
- Just like I show you sometimes how to mop. So I am not a mopper, but I am showing how to mop. So our position is like that. We do not belong to any varna and asrama. But we have to show these rascals.
- Our position is that we are above varnasrama. But for management or ideal society, we are introducing this. We, so far we are concerned, Krsna conscious men, we are above varnasrama.
- Our position is transcendental, above. Karmis, they are on the material field. They are trying to enjoy on the material platform. Jnanis, they're trying to make it variety-less, and the Buddhists, they're trying to make it zero. Our philosophy is substance.
Purifying One's Current Situation
A common misconception among new practitioners is that they must abandon their careers, education, or family life to make genuine spiritual advancement. Correcting this misunderstanding, Śrīla Prabhupāda explained that one's external circumstances do not need to be artificially renounced. By simply changing the consciousness from personal sense gratification to acting on behalf of the Supreme Lord, any worldly position can be completely spiritualized.
- At the present moment our consciousness is that we are working for our own sense gratification. When this consciousness will be changed, that we work for satisfying Krsna, then our lives will be complete. You haven't got to change your work or position.
- I am glad that you have decided to give your time now fully to serving Krsna directly, but do not misunderstand the position of "outside" jobs. Any work performed by a devotee in Krsna consciousness is never work on the material platform although it may appear to be so.
- We should begin our devotional service in whichever position we are. It isn't that we have to learn something extra for advancing in devotional service.
- You just remain in Los Angeles city and engage your eyes to see Krsna, you are more than a person who has gone to Himalayas. You'll forget all other thing. This is our process. You don't require to change your position.
Maintaining the Movement's Prestigious Position
Through years of tremendous sacrifice and strict adherence to scriptural principles, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement established a highly respected reputation worldwide. This unique and elevated standing was built upon the purity of the members and the massive distribution of transcendental literature. To ensure this legacy continued, Śrīla Prabhupāda urged his leaders to protect the society's prestigious position by remaining absolutely faithful to the routine spiritual practices.
- I have never compromised in any way and as a result of our sticking strictly to our principles our position is unique.
- Our position is definitely due to our books, therefore I am always pressing on this point.
- We are in very good, prestigious position. That is sure. Don't spoil it. So much hard labor. I started with very humble condition. Now it has come to this, such exalted position. You don't spoil it. That is my request.
- Whatever property we have now made, Krsna has given us. But now, to maintain this, to save this prestigious position, that is difficult. Little mismanagement, there may be so many difficulties.
The Marginal Position and Protection from Illusion
The living entity is categorized as the marginal energy of the Lord, meaning the soul has the independence to choose between the spiritual and material worlds. Because of this vulnerable position, there is always a risk of falling down into the clutches of māyā if one becomes careless or proud. As a loving guardian, Śrīla Prabhupāda constantly warned his followers that the only way to remain secure in their spiritual position is by strictly following the regulative principles and depending entirely upon Kṛṣṇa's protection.
- If you become conditioned by God, that is your perfection. And if you become conditioned by maya, that is your trouble. You must be conditioned. That is your position. You cannot be independent.
- Our spiritual position will remain sound, and maya will not touch us. mayam etam tarantite. A fully surrendered soul always remains untouched by the hand of maya. Otherwise it is not possible.
- We may take the lesson that in our fight with maya we should not be in a position in which our strength, enthusiasm and senses will be unable to fight vigorously.
- You cannot trace out the history when you have fallen down. That is impossible. But our position is marginal. At any moment, we can fall down. That tendency is there.
Conclusion
By removing the illusion of false proprietorship, a devotee awakens to their natural, joyful state. Through his careful instructions, Śrīla Prabhupāda ensured that his followers understood their exact position in the cosmos. Whether managing a global movement or executing simple daily duties, a disciple who remains fixed as a humble servant of Kṛṣṇa is guaranteed absolute spiritual success.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Our Position (Disciples of SP). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.